Change. It's a buzz word. But what does it really mean? People use this word to describe coming administrations, politics. People use it to explain religious experience, a different course in life or something new. People use the word as a way to call their perspective better and another's worse. The word is also used describe pocket coins, money. But, again, what does the word really mean? And what does it look like?
Pulling up the etymology of the word is a bit challenging...because almost every language derives a root, somewhere, somehow. It is a word that has such general connotations, and at the same time, contains person depth for each person and their culture.
One of my favorite roots -that I noticed- was the Celtic origin: kamb*which means "to bend, crook." Dictionary.com's first explanation is: "to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone."
How interesting I find that when a person takes a different course, or alters their future to be different than it is- the first requirement is a willingness to bend in a way, that initially, they did not think possible. It means a difference in thinking, a willingness to learn- so that they can achieve the necessary. When something becomes crooked, it must be willing to leave it's origin behind...that is, it's "straightness."
And because humans are diverse from one another, what bending looks like will be just as diverse for each person. I can certainly appreciate that changes that have occurred in my life and with a pocket full of coins, I willingly toss them in your direction.
i might get political here for a second and mention how silly it is a lot of times especially in the poliitcal sphere when politicians talk about change. I'm not attempting to be partisan, especially because all sides are guilty, but talking about change just for the sake of change is about as empty and deceptive as it gets. duh, things are gonna change. perhaps they should say what things will change to. because as we all know, change can be either positive or negative.
ReplyDeleteAnd honestly, its the main reason I greatly distrust Obama and see him and his entire campaign as a sham. Its all a marketing trip. Mix this with his consistent association with extreme radicals (Wright, Ayers and Dohrn, Phleger, etc.) and the void of experience and intentions starts to get scary. At least we know that both McCain and Hillary are power-questors and life long politicians. We know what they planned on doing. At least we know who they are. Nobody knows this Obama guy..
I guess thats just what my mind went to first when i started reading :)
well, amos, like i said...change is a "buzz" word. the thing is obama claims all sorts of changes he's going to make, but then again, he keeps getting his mouth in trouble...i'd be worried that he'd say the wrong thing and it's taken or inferred the wrong way and the u.s. then be in jeporady...our words are powerful things.
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